By Mikayla van Loon
Lilydale Bowls Club will be hosting a big charity day in early May, helping to raise funds for the Royal Children’s hospital.
Putting on a day of both competitive and social bowls for the community on Sunday 7 May, the club is hopeful it will be able to raise $10,000 in conjunction with the Templestowe and Yarra Valley Royal Children’s Hospital Auxiliary.
Having supported other charities in the past, event manager Sue Ingham said the bowls club wanted to keep the tradition going.
“The Lilydale Bowls Club has a long history of hosting charity fundraising events,” she said.
“We have recently raised funds for a local boy to assist with treatment for leukaemia, bush fire relief and a brain cancer charity.
“This event continues our commitment to be a club that supports the community.”
A member of the club, who is also part of the Auxiliary, suggested Lilydale assist the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) through the group.
“The Royal Children’s Hospital provides an important service that cares for the welfare of our children in all communities,” Sue said.
With the local community able to play barefoot bowls on the day, Sue said the club wanted to open it up to allow other local clubs the opportunity to play in a competitive triples challenge.
That’s how the Inaugural John Snell OAM Club Triples Challenge came about, with all profits from participating club entries going to the Auxiliary to donate to RCH.
“We hope to make it an annual event. It was decided to incorporate the tournament to involve other bowling clubs and thus increase our ability to raise funds,” Sue said.
As a long standing Lilydale Bowls Club member and Commonwealth Games champion, Sue said it seemed only fitting to honour such a bowling legend in this way.
For the social side of the event, craft stores, raffles and a sausage sizzle will be available to keep people fed, entertained and help raise more money for a good cause.
All profits from the bar will also be donated.
The barefoot bowls will get underway at 11am, with entry costing $15 for those wanting to play and $5 for spectators. Children under 12 will be free.
Those looking to compete in the tournament can enjoy a supplied breakfast at 8.15am, ready to start at 9am. For the first 30 teams, registration is $250.
To enquire and book barefoot bowls, contact bookings@lilydalebowls.com.au
To register for the John Snell tournament, Luke Ingham at lilydalebowls@hotmail.com
